In Milton Bernier challenges Gray for selectman seat

MILTON — Incumbent Milton Selectman Tom Gray, who is seeking another 3-year term in office, is being challenged by Michael Troy Bernier at the March 11 election.

Michael Bernier

Bernier, 48, is widowed and has three children, the oldest of whom is in college. He has lived on Felker Avenue for 16 years, and is an independent contractor.

He was born in Rochester, was raised and attended school in Somersworth, and spent 10 years in the U.S. Air Force as an air traffic controller. He has 44 credits from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and is working on a degree in aeronautical science.

He is a longtime member of American Legion Post 61 and has served as senior vice commander. He attends St. Mary’s Church in Rochester and Milton Community Church. This is Bernier’s first run for political office.

“The moral compass of the country, state and town is 180 degrees off. We are in trouble and we need to right the ship,” he said. “What happened in Detroit (bankruptcy) will visit us here.”

He pointed out that the marina is gone, impacting the town’s tax base.

Bernier said that sacrifices have to be made to benefit to the long-term viability of Milton.

In this vein, he is in favor of the new fire station, but not in completing it all at once.

“Build the shell, but without the three bathrooms and the kitchen. Add them later,” he said. Bernier disagrees with Milton Free Public Library, supporters of which say around $50,000 in renovation money over the next five years is needed to address a number of issues.

The stairs accessing the upper floor need to be fixed, he said, and beyond that, the building is up to code.

One of Bernier’s priorities, if elected, would be to replace the bridge linking Milton and Lebanon, Maine, which is currently impassable.

“Come on, build the bridge,” he said, asserting that in the old days, selectmen like Charlie Logan would just have built in themselves. Bernier would also bring back the street lights, which were removed a year or two ago, at an annual saving, he said, of $1,800. While Bernier says he is happy with the town’s departments, he has plans to cut the budget.

“Elect me and I’ll show you how,” he said.

Tom Gray

Gray, age 57, who lives on White Mountain Highway, is an equipment salesman who has lived in Milton for 25 years. He is married with a son and two grandchildren. He attends Milton Assembly of God Church. He is completing his ninth year as a selectman, and has chaired the board for seven of those years. He has served on the Planning Board, the Budget Committee, the ZBA, the Conservation Commission, the Sewer Commission, the Milton Townhouse Stewardship Committee and the Cost of Community Services panel.

He worked with the EPA and NH DES to keep the cleanup cost of Applebee Landfill as low as possible. From an initial cost to the town of $1.2 million he got it down to $400,000.

Gray helped to interview and hire a new town administrator last year, and says she is “working out well” and bringing stability back to the Town Office. One of his goals is to have Milton selectmen’s meetings televised on a local community channel, to keep the public better informed on issues.

Another goal is to work on economic development, particularly at Exits 17 and 18 of the highway, in order to broaden the tax base.

“They are both ideal spots,” he said.

“I would like to see a medical professional establish a practice in Milton,” said Gray.

While working hard to keep the town’s portion of the municipal tax rate as low as possible, Gray said that the replacement of aging equipment, and the rising cost of insurance, retirement, heating oil and fuel, and everyday supplies have made tax rate increases inevitable. He is “totally in support” of the proposed new fire station, and pledges to put the economic, environmental and esthetic interests of the town first.